I’m heading home from New York with a full heart, a birthday around the corner and plenty of moments I wish I could hold onto a little longer. As I get ready to turn 45, this weekend reminded me how much it means to share the life I’ve worked so hard to build with people who know and love me.

I spent it with my best friend, Yoncie Soto, who has been family to me since ninth grade. There’s something special about celebrating with someone who knew you long before the professional titles, the accomplishments and the grown-up responsibilities.

From Comic Con adventures to a Harry Styles show, dinners, laughter and cocktails with friends, we made time to enjoy being together. Those moments with my true blues meant as much to me as anything on my schedule.

At New York Comic Con, I had the opportunity to moderate conversations with talented creators and spend time surrounded by people who love stories as much as I do. Even after years of interviewing authors and attending these events, I still get excited. I’m an educator and a journalist, but I’m also the girl who loves books, gets dressed up for a convention and can’t wait to tell her friends about something wonderful that happened.

That girl grew up in Puerto Rico, where my love of words began. I couldn’t have pictured every step that would bring me here, but I knew I wanted to write. That desire followed me from journalism into teaching and through the many changes, doubts and opportunities along the way. Wherever I go, my island and the people who raised me remain part of how I see the world.

Now my book, Storytelling in Popular Culture: Media, Identity and Meaning, is moving toward publication with Kendall Hunt. Finishing it took long nights after teaching, plenty of second-guessing and a summer when I set aside time to give those chapters the attention they deserved. There were days when I felt confident and others when I needed someone to remind me that I could do this. Seeing it move forward makes me proud, especially because I know what it took to get there.

With my birthday approaching, I’ve been thinking about my dad. I wish I could call him and tell him about this weekend, the book, and all the little things that made me happy. I miss him, and that missing sits alongside the joy. I carry his love with me as I enter another year, grateful for everything he gave me that continues to shape my life.

I’m grateful, too, for my mom, my brother, my family, and everyone who has believed in me. Sebastian has shared the late nights, the worries, and the celebrations. My friends and mentors have listened, encouraged me, and helped me find my footing when I needed it. My students continue to give me reasons to care deeply about the work I do.

Turning 45 doesn’t mean I suddenly have everything figured out. I still worry, overthink, and sometimes need a reminder to give myself credit. But I’m learning to pause long enough to enjoy what’s happening, to sit at dinner with my friends, laugh until I lose track of time and let a good weekend be a good weekend without immediately thinking about the next deadline.

Being with Yoncie brought so much of that into focus. We’ve known each other through different versions of ourselves, and here we are, still making memories and finding new things to laugh about. Having that kind of friendship in my life is something I treasure.

As I head home, I’m thinking about the conversations onstage and the ones around the dinner table, the music, the cocktails and the comfort of being with my people. I’m proud of the book and excited about what comes next, but right now I also want to appreciate this moment.

Forty-five is almost here, and I’m welcoming it with my Puerto Rican roots, my dad in my heart and my true blues beside me.